Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices

Abstract

A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands. The gaming device reconfigures its payout schedule responsive to the reconfiguration commands to provide a variety of promotional bonuses such as multiple jackpot bonuses, mystery jackpot bonuses, progressive jackpot bonuses, or player specific bonuses.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of providing feedback to a user inserting a user identification card having a unique user identification code encoded thereon into a gaming device, the method comprising: receiving the card into a card reader opening defined by a translucent bezel having a front side and a rear side;   sensing the code on the card;   determining whether the sensed code is a valid identification code; and   lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery thereof with a first lighting mode if the sensed code is a valid identification code and with a second lighting mode if the sensed code is not a valid identification code.   
     
     
       2. A method of providing feedback to a user according to claim 1 wherein determining whether the sensed code is a valid identification code includes providing a third lighting mode, different from the first and second modes, during the pendency of the determining step. 
     
     
       3. A method of providing feedback to a user according to claim 1 wherein lighting the bezel from the rear side includes actuating a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged around the card reader opening. 
     
     
       4. A method of providing feedback to a user according to claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether the sensed number is a valid identification number includes comparing to a plurality of predetermined valid identification numbers. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery thereof with a first lighting mode comprises flashing a light. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 wherein said first lighting mode is a green light and said second lighting mode is a red light. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 wherein said method further includes flashing the red light. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further includes tracking the user's play on the gaming device when the sensed code is a valid identification code. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 wherein said method further includes lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery of the card reader with a third lighting mode to communicate information relating to qualification for a bonus award based on user play. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 1 wherein said gaming device is interconnected by a computer network to a host computer which monitors a plurality of gaming devices connected to the network said method further comprising: tracking the user's play responsive to sensing a valid identification code;   storing a record of the play in an account related to the user on the host computer;   removing the card from the opening;   receiving the card into an opening in a second card reader associated with a second gaming device on the network;   sensing the code on the card after it is inserted into the second card reader opening;   determining whether the code sensed after it is inserted into the second card reader opening is a valid identification code;   lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery thereof with said first lighting mode if the sensed code is a valid identification code and with said second lighting mode if the sensed code is not a valid identification code;   tracking the user's play on the second device responsive to sensing a valid identification code at the second card reader; and   storing a record of the play on the second device in the user's account on the host computer.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further comprises lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery thereof with a third mode of illumination when no card is received in the opening. 
     
     
       12. A card reader having user feedback which reads a user identification card having a user identification number encoded thereon comprising: a translucent bezel defining a card reader opening;   means for sensing the user identification code on the card;   means for determining whether the sensed number is a valid identification code; and means for illuminating said bezel with a first lighting mode if the sensed code is a   valid identification code and with a second lighting mode if the sensed code is not a valid identification code, said illuminating means being located adjacent a rear surface of said bezel.   
     
     
       13. A card reader having user feedback according to claim illuminating 12 wherein the means includes a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed around the card reader opening. 
     
     
       14. A card reader having user feedback according to claim 13 wherein the light emitting diodes include dual light emitting diodes for producing both the first and the second modes. 
     
     
       15. A card reader having user feedback according to claim 12 wherein the user identification card includes a plurality of holes which encode the user identification code and which are arranged in columns and wherein the means for sensing the user identification code on the card includes an optical card reader. 
     
     
       16. A card reader having user feedback according to claim 15 wherein the optical card reader includes: a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on a first side of the card reader opening; and   a plurality of photodetectors disposed on a second side of the card reader opening, opposite the first side for detecting the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes.   
     
     
       17. A card reader having user feedback according to claim 16 wherein the light emitting diodes and the photodetectors are arranged in opposing pairs for detecting the holes of a respective column. 
     
     
       18. A card reader having user feedback according to claim 12 further including: means for detecting the orientation of the card; and   wherein the means for determining whether the sensed code is a valid identification code inverts the sensed code according to the orientation detected by the detection means.   
     
     
       19. A card reader having user feedback according to claim 12 further including first and second guide members disposed on opposing lateral sides of the card reader opening for guiding a user identification card therealong. 
     
     
       20. The card reader of claim 12 wherein said card reader further includes means for illuminating said bezel with a third mode of illumination when no card is received in the opening, said third illuminating means being located adjacent the rear surface of said bezel. 
     
     
       21. A method of providing feedback to a user inserting a user identification card having a unique user identification code encoded thereon a card reader on one of a plurality of gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer, the method comprising: receiving the user's card in an opening on the card reader defined by a translucent bezel having a front side and a rear side;   sensing the code on the card;   tracking the user's play on the gaming device; and   lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery thereof with a predetermined lighting mode to provide the user with information relating to his or her play.   
     
     
       22. The method of claim 21 wherein lighting the bezel from the rear side about the periphery thereof with a predetermined lighting mode to provide the user with information relating to his or her play comprises indicating user eligibility for a bonus award. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 22 wherein the bonus award is dependent upon the level of user activity. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 21 wherein lighting the bezel comprises lighting the bezel with one of a plurality of light colors. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim 24 wherein said method further comprises flashing the light. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim 21 wherein lighting the bezel with a predetermined lighting mode comprises flashing a light. 
     
     
       27. A system for tracking players of a plurality of gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising: a translucent bezel defining a card reader opening;   a sensor operative to sense a user identification code on a card insertable in the opening;   means for monitoring the user's play;   a light positioned on a rear side of said bezel; and   means for operating said light in a manner which indicates eligibility for a bonus award based on the user's play.   
     
     
       28. The system of claim 27 wherein said bonus award is dependent upon the level of user activity. 
     
     
       29. The system of claim 27 wherein said light is adapted to illuminate the perimeter of said card reader opening about the periphery thereof. 
     
     
       30. The system of claim 29 wherein said system further includes a circuit operable to select one of a plurality of colors for said light. 
     
     
       31. The system of claim 29 wherein said system further includes a circuit operable to flash said light.